During a discussion with a client this morning, she told me that someone had asked her how working out with her personal trainer was going. She explained how she told them how I am quite different from other personal trainers she has had in the past at big gyms, and how much more she enjoys working out at my private training studio versus working out in the big box fitness centers.

Mission Accomplished, sort of…

I have made no bones about saying this: I am San Antonio’s foremost expert on fitness training and performance nutrition. My track record of client success, whether it is simple fat loss, sports performance, figure/fitness/bikini/bodybuilding prep, injury recovery and everything in between is unequaled in this community.

I opened Personal Fitness Revolution in 2006 for several reasons:

-Professional. I was tired of seeing personal trainers in San Antonio (and everywhere else, for that matter), train their clients incorrectly. I have 15 years of personal training experience, hold advanced degrees, and have worked with over 2000 clients that range from housewives to professional athletes. Most personal trainers are in the career field for less than one year – it is definitely a field that defines “survival of the fittest”.

-I hated the idea of anything being before progress and client success. At the large gyms, there is one concern: Sales, sales, sales. Sell them the nutrition package. Get them to sign up for a year in advance. Sell this, sell that.

-Gyms are meat-markets and social clubs, and to many, they are overwhelming. I wanted a private environment with the real essentials, without the distractions of morons posing in the mirror and the dangers of people practicing their “stunts” in the corner, putting everyone within 100 feet in danger.

-Put the “personal” in personal training. Every individual is different. I do not train any two individuals identically, because no two people are identical. Most trainers are what I call “fad” trainers, and do what the newest craze is – to hell with it actually working, it gives them the chance to “seem” cutting edge. Nothing I do is cookie cutter. What my clients do depends on a) their condition and b) improving weaknesses while maintaining strengths, and c) their goals. Not what I saw in a book or what the CrossFit studio down the street is doing (incorrectly).

-Privacy. Never more than 2-4 people training at one time. No crowds, no waits.

-No memberships. We work by appointment only, and clients get the sessions they pay for. No time limits, no hidden monthly charges.

-Holistic approach. Simple diet and exercise are do not guarantee success; rather, one must integrate a synchronized and synergistic diet and exercise program that is focused completely on one’s needs and condition.

When people call me or email me looking for the cheapest trainer, I’m not going to be that person. There is a difference between a typical personal trainer and a professional – if you’re looking for a rep counter with less than a year experience, you’ll definitely get what you pay for at other gyms, and I take it personal when people believe that all personal trainers are like the ones you see at the big gyms. When you’re ready for the best and you are serious about your goals, that is when you call me.

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio – there is still time to give your family and loved ones the ultimate gift of health. If you have a friend or family member that is looking to make 2012 the year that they get in the best shape of their life, lose body fat and drastically transform their body or maybe prepare for an athletic competition, a Personal Fitness Revolution Personal Training Gift Certificate is the perfect gift idea.

Health clubs and gyms in San Antonio are simply PACKED after the first of the year – not ours. Our private personal training studio is by appointment only, and there is NEVER a crowd.

All clients receive complete nutritional and supplement guidance, 24/7 access to their personal trainer (via telephone, email, etc), and complete directions on what to do on days when they aren’t with their trainer. For more information on programs and pricing, check out our Personal Training Programs or contact Boyd via email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com or by phone at 210.391.1454. We have hundreds of references available by request.

Any personal training package is available as a gift certificate, but from now until Dec 31, 2011, we will be offering 15% off of any purchased package of 36 or more sessions!

Slots WILL BE limited after the first of the year, and our personal training studio operates on a first come, first served basis (by appointment). Beat the crowds at other health clubs at our private personal training studio!

No gift could be more precious or appreciated more than a healthy, lean body, and there is no better way to help someone you care about get a head start on their New Year’s Resolution with the help of a fitness professional that will drastically improve their chance for success.

Happy Holidays!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio and you other Fitness Fanatics elsewhere!

Had quite a few questions to tend to from the holidays, so I thought I’d do them here!

Hey Boyd,

I am a local high school senior and have committed to play Division 1 football next fall at a prestigious university. Do you work with high school athletes?

Absolutely. I work with athletes of all ages amateur and professional. The transition from high school football (even Texas high school football) to college football is drastic. It is imperative to go into conditioning program a step ahead of the competition. Quite simply, I help athletes become faster, stronger and more cardio conditioned. We focus on regular power moves to develop base strength (bench press, dead lift and squat) as well as explosive movements that transfer into the sport of choice (plyometrics, Olympic movements, etc).

Not only do I focus on the training, but on the nutrition as well to get the most out of your training and to fuel your training and recovery – unfortunately, nutrition is the weakest link in most amateur athletes repetoire. I develop an optimal nutrition and supplement regiment for every athlete.

Ok Boyd, I have tried it all – lots of cardio, less eating, etc. I thought I was doing it right until I read one of your articles from a few months back about becoming skinny fat and how doing what I am doing is only going to make me a smaller version of myself. Not so much a question but a “Dammit I should’ve listened to your advice”!

It’s never too late! Starving and excess cardio may help you look better dressed, but gaining lean body mass and proper training help you look better naked!

Boyd: Which is better? Low reps (3-6) or higher reps (12+)?

Better in what way? Kind of a general question but let me try to help you: no matter your goals, there are reasons to use absolutely every rep range. I honestly use as few as one rep (on a regular basis) and as many as 100 reps in some exercises.

It’s like having a tool box and trying to figure out which is better: a screwdriver or a hammer. You have them both, so why not use them?

Any tips for coming off of a spell with the flu?

More than tips, I have sympathy, because for more than a week, I was battling the nasty flu as well. First and foremost, get yourself some pro-biotics and replenish the good bacteria in your system (especially if you were on antibiotics). My choice is Endo-mune. Second, take a week to “get back into the groove. Your body is still probably recovering, so the worst thing you can do is decimate yourself and make your body relapse into sickness. Increase antioxidant intake (permanently). A great way to not have to recover from sickness is to not get sick. Rest more. Yeah, sounds simple, but most of us aren’t even close on the amount of rest we need. Sleep deprivation has hormonal effects on fat storage and opens us up for a multitude of sicknesses. Sleep more, get sick less, period.

I have a very long email that I am responding to about fat loss/muscle gain, and I will be posting my answer here when it is ready – I think most people will benefit from it, so check back later on.

Make today great!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio

Hey San Antonio,

Couple of quick things on this rainy Monday (no, really – it has rained in San Antonio):

1. I received a big box in the mail this weekend – my two inch thick, 30 feet long battle ropes. As if I didn’t have enough ways to make you breathe hard, sweat, get sore and kick ass in the gym, I have added another weapon to my arsenal! These things are intense, and I’ll be posting a video later this week!

2. Remember, I do not typically wear a mustache, but it is Mo-vember, and for prostate cancer awareness, I have dedicated my face to growing a mustache to raise money to defeat prostate cancer! For more information and to donate (any little bit helps), and to see my crazy mustache, check out: Boyd’s Mo-Space – Defeat Prostate Cancer

3. The holidays are almost here! Don’t let them ruin your progress, and don’t use that as an excuse to wait: you can make incredible progress this time of year! While others are getting fat and lazy, get into the best shape of your life! Call us today (210.391.1454)

Let’s have a great week!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey all,

Just a few quick things to cover:

-It is boot camp time again. I’ll have more info later, but we are going to be starting another San Antonio Boot Camp here at Personal Fitness Revolution. Again, I’ll post an update later this week, so keep an eye out!

-November is MOVEMBER! To bring awareness to prostate cancer (1 in 6 men will be diagnosed this year), guys are encouraged to grow a mustache (“Mo” is an Aussie term for mustache). Yes, as terrible as it is, I am growing an awesome Burt Reynolds style stache this month!!!

-We are less than three weeks away from Thanksgiving. DO NOT USE THE HOLIDAYS AS A REASON TO FALL OFF THE FITNESS AND NUTRITION BANDWAGON! You CAN make tremendous progress between now and the new year. With that being said, you can also ruin an entire year worth of work by slacking now!

I have some great articles in the work for this week, so check backsoon!!!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

November is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, and through the Livestrong Foundation, they are celebrating “Mo-Vember” by growing MUSTACHES (no, really), and I am partaking!

For more information and the rules on the mustace growing month, check out here:

LiveStrong – Movember to Rember – Grow a Mustache to Fight Cancer!

If you would like to help the cause by either joining our team or donating, drop me an email at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com for details!

Boyd Myers
Master Fitness Trainer – San Antonio
Owner, Personal Fitness Revolution
San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
210.391.1454

Hey San Antonio,

I often receive phone calls and emails asking me about the different types of training services that I offer, my approach and other related questions. Here is a quick list of the different types of training and clients that I work with:

Clients seeking:
Fat Loss
Body Transformation
Muscle Gain
Sports/Athletic Conditioning
Competition Preparation
Performance Nutrition Guidance
Supplement Regimen Design

Types of training:
HIT (High Intensity Training)
Circuit Training
Core Based Training
Power Lifting
Olympic Lifting
Cross Training
Sprint Training
Flexibility
Kettle Bells
TRX Suspension Training
Martial Arts Training

And probably anything else you can imagine!

Now is the time to get a head start on the holidays – the new year is still 2 months away – you can use those 2 months to make the change or to make excuses!

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454
Text FITNESSTRAINER to 90210 for my fat loss and body transformation tips!

Hey San Antonio,

Just a quick snippet we took about 40 minutes into my client Joey’s workout. Joey is a martial artist and while we often train for strength, this workout was totally circuit and cross training, where we worked with the TRX Suspension System, Kettle Bells, and the ab wheel of torture.

There is no one way to skin a cat, you just have to work hard and have the proper plan of attack (like Joey) – here is about 5% of his entire workout:

All tools are on the table in my personal training studio, whether it is power lifting, Olympic weight lifting, cross training, Russian Kettle Bells or whatever it takes. No training studio has a more complete view of training than mine, I assure you.

KICK BUTT!

Boyd Myers
210.391.1454
16613 Huebner Road

THE Personal Trainer – San Antonio!

Hey San Antonio,

I think the biggest downfall of most personal trainers is that most have tunnel vision. They know of one way to obtain a certain result and rarely deviate from their method.

Of course, that works great IF that is what the client needs. They fail to diagnose each client, their condition and needs and figure out the optimal way to get them from point A to point B. They fail to understand that one size doesn’t fit all. The only difference in their workouts from client to client is the difference in resistance.

I have many different clients with many different needs. I train normal people for typical fat loss. I train marathon runners. I train fitness competitors and bodybuilders. I train professional athletes at different times of the year where their needs are completely different. I have a client training for 21,000 feet climbs in Ecuador. I have clients doing Olympic lifts and sprints, others training circuit style, some powerlifting, others doing TRX bands, boxing training and kettle bells and many that do every bit of that or absolutely none of it.

The approaches to training I use are as different as my various clients are.

I don’t change things up just for the hell of it. While keeping the workouts interesting and challenging are both keys to keeping a client not only engaged, but providing overload, I’m not a fad chaser that sees something new and starts training every client in my new “passion” (note: if you are around personal trainers for any amount of time you will realize that most of them do this, find a new “style” and change as often as the weather).

Training should be based off of science. There is and never will be a one size fits all approach to training, and “scalable” means more by having someone perform a workout at a slower rate or using lighter resistance (re-read that, CrossFit cult members).

As long as the barrier to entry to becoming a personal trainer is extremely low, there will be these types of trainers that throw the proverbial crap on the wall to see what sticks, so be careful who and what training system you waste your time and money on.

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454
Text FITNESSTRAINER to 90210 for my fat loss and body transformation tips!

Hey everyone,

I try to spend a little time each day reading other health and fitness related material. Much of my free time is spent in medical journals and reading about government studies – but recently, my quest led me to a blog written by a lady named Victoria: Anorexic to Athletic. In one of her recent blogs (read it here), Victoria discusses the role of gym owners, their staffs and personal trainers in identifying individuals in their gyms that may be at risk to chronic exercise, anorexia, etc and their role in handling/assisting individuals in these situations.

I started this post, stopped, thought about it, re-wrote it a few times, walked away, and re-started several times. It is a delicate situation and I had to step back a few times and give it serious thought. Normally, I have no shortage of words and am able to respond immediately and definitely. In this situation, that simply was not the case.

I feel that I must clarify that my personal training studio is private – it is not a typical gym where people are coming and going throughout the day. It is by appointment only, and is purely one on one. I mention this because our relationship with our clients is quite different than the type the typical gym personal trainer may have with a random gym member. In my trainer-client relationship, the client’s condition, situation, health, etc are the primary reason they are here, and any discussion about said condition would be “fair game” to bring up, so to speak. I have worked with several different individuals who have struggled with eating disorders, image problems and such and I understand the uniquity of each situation.

I am not going to get into how balance is the essence of success, why people fall into these situations, how it happens, or any of that. I do believe that anorexia, body dysmorphia, chronic exercising and other similar conditions are more common than most would believe. With that being said, these situations may or may not be mutually exclusive. One could be a chronic exerciser, body dysmorphic, and anorexic or may simply be one or any combo of the three.

From the standpoint of being a health and fitness professional, if I happened to be a MEMBER of another gym and noticed someone who fit the bill as Anorexic or as someone who is a chronic exerciser, I would not feel comfortable approaching that individual and suggesting that they may have a problem. I am the type of person that tries to keep to myself, and when I am in a gym outside of my personal training studio, I tend to mind my own business and do my own thing when I’m at a gym.

Given these factors, my answers are based on both those as a gym owner and a gym patron.

In my opinion, there is a fine line between being perceived as trying to help and being invasive. Before I am a personal trainer, I am a compassionate human being, period. With that being said, the last thing I want to do is to put someone on the defensive and make them feel any more insecure or concerned than they may be. Too many personal trainers confuse their profession as that of a psychiatrist and that is unfortunate.

I have been a personal trainer for most of my adult life, and there is one thing that comes along with the territory of being a fitness professional: you cannot help someone who is not ready to be helped – and the best way to determine if that individual wants to be helped is for them to come to you and ask for it. I know, easier said than done, and as humans, asking for help is simply something that is very hard for many people to do – and I also realize that individuals in these situations may be internally screaming for help.

While I would love to be able to assist every individual doing things detrimental to their health, stopping each smoker, heavy drinker, sweets binger, chronic exerciser, overly stressed office worker, insomniac, pain killer addict, and manically depressed individual to offer my services is far outside the capacity of my profession. While I am an expert at what I do and can train individuals in a variety of manners, and feel that I have an eye to pick out individuals that may be apart of these special populations, my specialties still lie within the realm of performance nutrition, strength training, and the similar – unlike most personal trainers, I feel that diagnosing and attempting to treat any disorder (physical or emotional) is outside the scope of my professional duties.

In closing, I have worked with many individuals that have struggled with anorexia, and I feel comfortable being a part of a team and helping them get their lives back to a seemingly normal existence. I understand the precautions, the symptoms and some of the extremes in great detail. However, offering a diagnosis unsolicited is beyond that of an in-gym personal trainer.

If a certain fitness center felt that any patron was at risk to themselves, they obviously reserve the right to terminate their memberships on a case by case basis (which may be after offering to refer a certain individual to the appropriate professional for assistance).

Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454
Text FITNESSTRAINER to 90210 for my fat loss and body transformation tips!